8. Equipment and clothing at work
[ch 8: page 107]This chapter covers the regulations and latest union and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance around the use of equipment and staying safe in the workplace. It covers key regulations reps need to know about including the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, and the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Further explanation is given as to how these regulations apply to the Covid-19 pandemic. The chapter also sets out the new post-Brexit UK product safety marking regime.
Key changes and developments
• Although UKCA marking came into effect on 1 January 2021, CE marking can still be used until 1 January 2023. The government announced in August 2021 that businesses could have an extra year to make the change;
• The Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 came into force on 6 April 2022 and extends employers’ duties under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 to a wider group of workers.